By Frank Vinluan
Publication Date: 2026-08-23 17:34:00
Immunotherapy developer Abcuro received disappointing news this year as its lead drug candidate fell short in a clinical trial expected to support a regulatory submission in a rare muscle disorder with no FDA-approved therapies. But the company sees a path forward for its molecule, and some investors do too. Abcuro now has $66 million in financing for another clinical trial.
Newton, Massachusetts-based Abcuro is developing a drug for inclusion body myositis (IBM), part of a group of muscle diseases called idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. IBM develops as immune cells infiltrate muscle tissue and concentrate between muscle fibers. Patients experience progressively worsening muscle function.
Abcuro contends that IBM develops from pathogenic T cells that express a protein called killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1). The biotech’s drug, ulviprubart, is a monoclonal antibody designed to selectively target and deplete these pathogenic T cells, but spare other immune…
